Nebraska will debate a bill which would
bar local municipalities from enacting laws protecting gay and
transgendered people, the AP reported.

Introduction of state Senator Beau
McCoy's measure coincides with a proposal before the Omaha City
Council which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity in the areas of employment and service providers
such as restaurants, hotels and bars. The proposal would exempt
religious organizations.

McCoy's measure will be heard Wednesday
before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee. Under the proposed
legislation, cities and counties would be blocked from enacting
anti-discrimination rules beyond those which the state has approved.

Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray
suggested the measure was being introduced to block his
anti-discrimination bill from taking effect.

“The timing is suspicious, first of
all,” Gray said. “Secondly, there are some issue that are more
unique to Omaha than the rest of the state. We need the flexibility
and latitude [to pass local ordinances], and it's getting kind of
frustrating that the Legislature keep trying to micromanage the
city.”